Access Data Point

An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, or WLAN, usually in an office or
large building. An access point connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, and
projects a Wi-Fi signal to a designated area. For example, if you want to enable Wi-Fi access in your
company's reception area but don’t have a router within range, you can install an access point near the
front desk and run an Ethernet cable through the ceiling back to the server room.

A WiFi router is a WiFi access point with a built in router. The router allows you to connect multiple
computers to the network using a single IP address, typically provided by your ISP.
A WiFi access point is typically used only in enterprise networks where they have a larger router which
routes their entire network and the access point only acts as a gateway between the wired and wireless
networks.

Hub, Router, and Switch

Hub vs Switch vs Router – What Is the Real Difference

This section explores these networking devices further. With the following points, one can have a clear
view of the comparison among a hub, switch, and router.

 Layers: The hub works on the physical layer (which is layer 1) of open system interconnection
(OSI) model, while a switch works on the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. The router
works on the network layer of the OSI model.
 Functions: As discussed earlier, a hub can connect multiple Ethernet devices as a single segment,
whereas a switch can join multiple devices within one LAN.  A router can link both LAN as well
as WAN.
 Device Type: The hub is the least intelligent device as it simply passes a received data packet to
all the devices connected to it. Both, the switch and router are considered as the intelligent
devices as they send the received data packets to appropriate devices.
 Data Transmission Form: The data transmitted through a hub is in the form of an electrical
signal or bits; through a switch, it is in the form of frame and packet. Through a router, it is in the
form of a packet.
 Transmission Mode: The hub uses a half-duplex mode to exchange the data. A switch uses a
half/full-duplex mode, while the transmission mode in a router is full-duplex. 
 Address Used for Data Transmission: An Ethernet switch works based on the MAC address.
This is in contrast to an Ethernet hub. On the other side, a router works based on IP address.

A Complete Overview of a Hub, Switch, and Router

These devices are different from each other in features and functionality, and it is important to understand
them before making a decision. So, here is a quick overview of all three devices.
  Hub: Hub is a multiport repeater. It has multiple ports that accept Ethernet connections from
different network devices.  It is considered as the least intelligent device as it neither filters the
data, nor it knows where the data is supposed to be sent. When a data packet arrives at one of the
ports, it is copied to all of the other ports connected to it. As a result, all the devices receive the
data packet, even if it is not for them. There are two types of hubs – active and passive. An active
hub is a multi-point repeater which can regenerate signals, while a passive hub is a connector
which connects wires coming from other systems.

 Switch: A switch is smarter than a hub. Similar to the hub, it is a connection point for all the
devices in the network. However, it is more efficient at passing a data packet across the network.
It records the MAC addresses of the computers connected to it in a tabular format. When the data
packet arrives, it reads the destination address and sends it to the appropriate system rather than
sending it to all connected devices. If the destination address is not available, the switch sends the
data packet to all the devices across the network.

 Router: It is the most intelligent of the three networking devices. It is designed to understand,
manipulate, and direct data packets based on their IP addresses. It connects a local area network
(LANs) and wide area network (WANs) and features a dynamically updating routing table based
on which they make decisions on routing data packets. When a data packet is received, it inspects
the IP address and determines if the packet was meant for its network or not. If yes, then it
receives the data packet, and if not then it sends it off to another network.

WAN and LAN

A LAN (local area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually
within the same building. A WAN connects several LANs, and may be limited to an enterprise (a
corporation or an organization) or accessible to the public. The technology is high speed and relatively
expensive.

A LAN (local area network) is a group of computers and network devices connected together, usually
within the same building. By definition, the connections must be high speed and relatively inexpensive
(e.g., token ring or Ethernet). Most Indiana University Bloomington departments are on LANs.
A LAN connection is a high-speed connection to a LAN. On the IUB campus, most connections are either
Ethernet (10 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), and a few locations have Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps)
connections.

A MAN (metropolitan area network) is a larger network that usually spans several buildings in the same
city or town. The IUB network is an example of a MAN.

A WAN (wide area network), in comparison to a MAN, is not restricted to a geographical location,
although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or country. A WAN connects several LANs,
and may be limited to an enterprise (a corporation or an organization) or accessible to the public. The
technology is high speed and relatively expensive. The Internet is an example of a worldwide public
WAN.
Network Switch Before or After Router?

Network switch and router are the commonly used devices in a network. With each carrying out its own
duties accordingly, you can surf on the internet freely with your smart phone or computer. How to setup a
network switch and router? Should the network switch be installed before router or after router is
puzzling for many network newbies.

What Is Network Switch and Router?

To get clear about how to connect wireless router to switch, this part will state the function of network
switch and router first. What is a switch in networking? A network switch is used to connect multiple
devices such as computers, printers, IP camera and modem on the same network within a building. In this
way, these devices can share information and communicate with each other.

What is a router in networking? A router is sometimes connected to a modem at one side and many other
devices on the other side. Because the modem will only talk to the first computer that talks to it, the router
at the position serves like a dispatcher to share the connection among all your devices. This enables all
connected computers to share one single Internet connection.
How to Setup a Network Switch and Router?

From the above introduction, we know that both the network switch and the router can be connected
directly to a modem. However, when the two devices coexist, how to deploy them. Shall I connect
modem to router to switch or modem to switch to router?

Modem to Router to Switch: Network Switch After Router

In most cases, you will see people put the modem first, followed by a router and then a gigabit Ethernet
switch. The principle is that the modem gives the public IP address to the router, and the router assigns
the private addresses to the devices connected to it, while the network switch doesn’t handle allocating IP
addresses but serves as the extension of the limited ports on the router, to receive more devices. In this
scenario, all your devices with private addresses are safe as they are not directly visible to the internet.
Modem to Switch to Router: Network Switch Before Router

Some people propose going from a cable modem to switch to wireless router. This seems good because
all your devices on the network switch will have direct connections to your ISP. However, the truth is,
your ISP does not offer multiple public IP addresses before the full transition from IPv4 to IPv6. So one
or all ISP connections will likely fail and all of the devices connected to the switch would be exposed to
the internet.

In a word, placing a modem to switch to router is not possible. At least not practically. Each port on the
switch is a different IP address. So it doesn’t exist? Probably not unless your modem integrates the
function of a router so that you can rewire and reconfigure the wireless router to set it up as access point.
Seen from the outside, you indeed put a managed switch before router, however it still follows the
principle that router goes before network switch.

Conclusion

Network switch before router or after router? Have you made it clear? This post has stated modem to
router to switch vs modem to switch to router. Hope when you set up your network with router and
switch, you can put them in the correct order according to your needs and the products themselves (the
modem type). Here at FS.COM you can find various network switches including 10 gigabit switch, 40
gigabit switch and 100 gigabit switch, etc.
How does a router work?

Routers guide and direct network data, using packets that contain various kinds of data—such as
files, communications, and simple transmissions like web interactions.

The data packets have several layers, or sections, one of which carries identifying information
such as sender, data type, size, and most importantly, the destination IP (Internet protocol)
address. The router reads this layer, prioritises the data, and chooses the best route to use for each
transmission.

Routers can also provide security. Embedded firewall and content filtering software provide an
additional protection from unwanted content and malicious websites without affecting your
online experience.

A router isn't just for data transmission or Internet connections, though. Most routers allow you
to connect hard drives and use them as file-sharing servers, or printers that can then be accessed
by anyone on the network.

Types of routers
Core router

Core routers are generally used by service providers (i.e. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone) or cloud
providers (i.e. Google, Amazon, Microsoft). They provide maximum bandwidth to connect
additional routers or switches. Most small businesses will not need core routers. But very large
enterprises that have many employees working in various buildings or locations may use core
routers as part of their network architecture.

Edge router

An edge router, also called a gateway router or just "gateway" for short, is a network's outermost
point of connection with external networks, including the Internet.

Edge routers are optimised for bandwidth and designed to connect to other routers to distribute
data to end users. Edge routers don't usually offer Wi-Fi or the ability to manage local networks
fully. They typically have only Ethernet ports—an input to connect to the Internet and several
outputs to connect additional routers.

Edge router and modem are somewhat interchangeable terms, though the latter term is no longer
commonly used by manufacturers or IT professionals when referencing edge routers.
Distribution router

A distribution router, or interior router, receives data from the edge router (or gateway) via a
wired connection and sends it on to end users, typically via Wi-Fi, though the router usually also
includes physical (Ethernet) connections for connecting users or additional routers.

Wireless router

Wireless routers, or residential gateways, combine the functions of edge routers and distribution
routers. These are commonplace routers for home networks and Internet access.

Most service providers provide full-featured wireless routers as standard equipment. But even if
you have the option to use an ISP’s wireless router in your small business, you may want to use a
business-level router to take advantage of better wireless performance, more connectivity
controls, and security.

Virtual router

Virtual routers are pieces of software that allow some router functions to be virtualised in the
cloud and delivered as a service. These routers are ideal for large businesses with complex
network needs. They offer flexibility, easy scalability, and a lower entry cost. Another benefit of
virtual routers is reduced management of local network hardware.

How to choose small business routers

Pay close attention to the numbers and types of ports (such as phone, Ethernet, cable, and USB)
to make sure you can connect the necessary devices. Remember that unused ports are fine to
have, as they allow you to expand the network when needed.

Bandwidth

Sufficient bandwidth is important for user experience. It ensures maximum performance for
multiple users: the more users, the greater the bandwidth needed. You can grow your business's
network by adding additional routers or hubs if necessary, but insufficient bandwidth anywhere
in the network can cause bottlenecks.

Wireless capability

Wi-Fi is a given, but there are different standards. The latest, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), can deliver
much higher transmission speeds, especially when multiple access points (such as devices or
additional routers) are connected at once. Wi-Fi 6 routers are backwards-compatible with old
Wi-Fi standards.
Simplified setup and management

Most routers provide a browser-based interface that connects directly to your router to perform
setup and admin. However, many manufacturers now offer mobile apps that are specially
designed for their devices and provide more intuitive interfaces and easier setup.

Security

Your router should at least offer WPA or WPA 2 password protection. Some routers also have
firewall software, which continuously scans incoming data for potential malware and viruses.
Another important tool is MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering, which uses device-
specific IDs to screen users and build a whitelist or blacklist for network access.

Flexibility

Consider routers that have at least one power over ethernet (PoE) port. PoE provides both data
and electricity power supply to external devices such as wireless access points, VoIP phones, IP
and cameras. PoE eliminates cabling and provides additional flexibility to your networks.  

Automatic updates

Routers contain software that requires updates to maintain performance and security. Many
manufacturers update software automatically, which is preferable because it happens in the
background without any action on your part.

User changeable configurations

This feature allows you to manage network traffic, guest networks, parental controls, and
security settings. The process is easier to handle if the router's configuration can be managed
from an app as opposed to a browser interface.

Guest networks

Guest networks are an important layer of extra security for when guests visiting the business
need Wi-Fi access. A guest network will limit access to the business's devices and files, while
still offering connectivity to visitors.

Quality of service (QoS) controls

Combined with tools to look at usage across all users, this feature allows you to limit network
use to up- or downstream transmissions, control for certain types of use (video streaming, for
example), and specify bandwidth for different users. This feature helps you improve security as
well as network monitoring.
Mesh networks

If you've had experience with Wi-Fi extenders, you may have found that they can do as much
harm as good. They create multiple networks that don't communicate with each other, as well as
device incompatibilities that can cause bandwidth bottlenecks.

A better solution is a mesh network, which allows you to place multiple Wi-Fi transmitters
across your office, all on one network. Unlike extenders, which you can use with any wireless
router, mesh networks require a router with this capability built-in.

WIFI ACCESS POINT AND ROUTER

What is a Router? A router is a network device that serves two primary functions: (1) it connects
multiple computers, phones, tablets, or other devices to form a managed local area network, and (2) it
provides Internet access to all of the compatible devices that are connected to the router.
A local area network (LAN) can be set up by simply deploying a router and connecting one or several
devices to it. Modern routers allow users to connect devices both via Ethernet cables or wirelessly (using
Wi-Fi).

However, in order for the router to distribute and deliver data to the devices within the local area
network, it must be connected to an Internet service provider’s customer premises equipment (CPE) via
an Ethernet cable.

What is an Access Point? An access point is a wireless network device that acts as a portal for devices to
connect to a local area network. Access points are used for extending the wireless coverage of an
existing network and for increasing the number of users that can connect to it.
A high-speed Ethernet cable runs from a router to an access point, which transforms the wired signal
into a wireless one. Wireless connectivity is typically the only available option for access points,
establishing links with end-devices using Wi-Fi.

Main Differences. The router acts as a hub that sets up a local area network and manages all of the
devices and communication in it. An access point, on the other hand, is a sub-device within the local
area network that provides another location for devices to connect from and enables more devices to be
on the network.
Wireless routers can function as access points, but not all access points can work as routers. While
routers manage local area networks, communicate with outside network systems, acquire, distribute,
and dispatch data in multiple directions, establish a point of connectivity, and ensure security, access
points typically only provide access to the router’s established network.